Island Interiors founder Susannah Matheson has built a boutique design business around one of Auckland's most distinctive property markets.

After leaving an international advertising career, Matheson moved into interior design and launched Island Interiors on Waiheke Island in 2018. At the time, she saw a gap in the local market: the island had many architecturally significant homes, but no established interior design studio serving that niche.

The business now specialises in full-service residential interior design, with many projects linked to high-end Waiheke homes. Some clients are New Zealanders, while others are international homeowners who use their island properties seasonally.

Waiheke's market is unusual. According to Matheson, some homes include private beaches or helicopter landing pads, and many projects are designed around family holidays, inter-generational living and large-scale entertaining.

But behind the luxury homes is a small business story grounded in practical decisions. Island Interiors was self-funded, supported by savings from Matheson's previous career, and later backed by BNZ as she developed a business plan and opened a showroom on Waiheke's main street.

The business has also adjusted to market conditions. During a slower period in construction, Island Interiors scaled back from seven staff to four, allowing Matheson to stay closer to the creative work and manage the business more carefully.

One of the strongest parts of the business model is its flexible structure. The studio is women-led, staff work from home, and hours are flexible as long as client needs are met.

For Auckland business owners, Island Interiors is a good example of building around both market opportunity and personal values. It is a design business, but it is also a carefully shaped lifestyle business.